Copyright Men's Journal
When LIV Golf launched in 2022, it was a disruptor in professional golf with hopes of innovating the game and adding a bit more excitement and intensity, but it sounds like the league is now making a change that will bring it much more in line with the PGA Tour. In contrast to the PGA Tour’s 72-hole format that stretches across four days, LIV Golf events have always been more compact 54-hole tournaments. These shorter tournaments have been so crucial to the league’s identity that it’s even baked into the name – “LIV” is the Roman numeral for “54.” However, LIV is now shedding that identity. According to a report from Josh Carpenter of the Sports Business Journal, LIV Golf is now moving to a 72-hole format in 2026 for both its individual and team competitions. Why is LIV Golf Making This Change? Obviously, this is a rather surprising move for the Saudi-backed league, considering the 54-hole format has been a key part of the league’s identity for years and a significant selling point to both golfers and fans from the start. However, it sounds like this was a necessary move for the league. Throughout its existence, LIV Golf players have not been able to receive ranking points from the Official World Golf Ranking for playing in its tournaments. Those points are crucial for allowing players access to golf’s major championships. That’s especially true for those who do not have exemptions to play in some of those tournaments from previous victories. LIV Golf has been repeatedly denied by the OWGR, but SBJ reports that this move is yet another attempt to receive that recognition. Some Prefer 72 Holes While the 54-hole format has been a key part of LIV’s identity from the start, that doesn’t mean all the players like it. Jon Rahm, perhaps LIV Golf’s biggest name, has been vocal about his belief that LIV should move to a 72-hole format. “To be honest, part of the format is not really appealing to me. Shotgun, three days to me is not a golf tournament, no cut. It’s that simple. I want to play against the best in the world in a format that’s been going on for hundreds of years. That’s what I want to see,” Rahm said in the past, via SBJ. It looks like he got his wish. We’ll have to see whether or not it ultimately helps the league earn OWGR status.
